Coin detector mechanism



March 16; 1937. G. J. SCOFIELD 2,073,949

COIN DETECTOR MECHANI SM Filed Nov. 8, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 '"W N!!!HHIIIHHIIHHIHIYHlll INVENTOR. I

ATTORNEYS March 16 1937. l a. J. SCOFIELD 2,073,949

COIN DETECTOR MECHANISM Filed Nov. 8, 1934 3 sheetsggheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS March 16, 1937. J, SCQHELD 2,073,949

COIN DETECTOR MECHANISM Filed Nov. 8. 193 1 s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Mn. is, 1931 UNlTEDi STA T ES PATENT mice com nn 'rnc'roa Gilbert 1. Scofleid, Londonvlile, N'. Y. j

Applicationflovember' s, 1934-, Serial 'N o. 752,051

" 1 Claims. g\(ctuu-ios) This invention relates to a coin detecting apparatus for use, in combination with a coin-operated vending machine or the like and is a continuation in part of myv copending application 5 flied December 8, 1933, having Serial Number One of the objects of-this invention isto provide a coin detector mechanism which is simple and thoroughly practical in construction and operation. Anotherobject is to provide a mechanism. of the above nature, thecomponentparts 1 of which may be rapidly and easily manufactured, and readily assembled by unskilled labor. 'Another object is to provide a mechanism of the above nature, which is compact in size and adaptable for use in connection with a great variety of coin-operated mechanisms. Another object is to provide a mechanism of the above nature, capable of withstanding constant use over ex- .2 tended periods of. time without need of repair.

v Another object is to provide a mechanism of the above nature, which will reliably and quickly detect, reject, and return bogus coins, while'permitting the quick passage of legitimate coins so that apparatus-in association therewith may be .quickly operated. Other objects will, be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

. The invention ahco'rdingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements, I and arrangements of parts, as exemplified in the structur'eto be hereinafter described; and the scope of the application of which will he indicat ed in the following claims. a

In the accompanying drawings, int which is shown one of the various possible embodiments, of this invention, a .I I

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my mechanism, showing several of the detecting devices and the return chute; 1

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation, taken along the line 2-4 of Figure 1; 1 Figure 3 is a rear elevation of my mechanism, showing other of the various detecting devices;

Figured is a sectional elevation, taken'along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; v,

' Figure 5 is a fragmentary, front oneof the detecting devices;

. -Figure 61s a top-plan view of my mechanism:

and v Figure 7 is a developed perspective view of another of my detecting devices. w

Similar reference characters'refer to parts throughout the 551118 elevation of I slot II and a several figures of the draw- As conducive to a clearer understanding of my invention, it might be'herepointed out that many coin-operated devices, such as vending machines, o'r subway turnstiles, are either'unprovided with any sort of coin detecting and reject- 5 ing apparatus or, if so provided, the coin detectors so used are of such impractical nature as to preclude a desirable quick operation or the only certain types of counterfits, as for example an underweight or overweight coin. Still others are so highly complicated and delicate that they frequently get out of order and are diflicult to repair. Such detectors are apt to be not only. difflcult to manufacture but also quite expensive, thus precluding their use .in large numbers, as

would be necessary, for example, in their application to the turnstiles in a subwaysystem in a large city. Another object of this invention is to provide a coin detector in which the above conditions, in addition to many other diflicu1tiesr2 are completely and practically rectified. Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a side plate III has provided therein a coin-entry turn pocket l2. Plate I0 may form apart of e exterior casing of the apparatus, the other portions ofthe casing not being shown. Coin en'try slot Ii is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the coin meant to be inserted therethrough, thus preventing the admission of coins of the wrong denomination as well as oversized slugs or the like. The term "slug" is used as descriptive of a counterfeit coin, that is, an illegitimate metal disc. Thus a legitimate coin or a slug of proper diameter inserted into the mechanism through slot ll falls into a coin chute, generally indicated at 13, coin chute llbeing inclined toward the rear of the apparatus, thus being at an angle with. the base of the (Figures 1, 3, 5) adapted to detect and reject slugs formed from the wrong metal, very light slugs formed from leather or the like and also dues having a diameter less than that of aiegitimate coin, all as will be more fully described hereinafter; Coinjchute II also includes a'de-x" tector device generally indicated at l5 (Figures 1, 4, 6) which is capable, for. example, of detecting and rejecting slugs of improper weight, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

6 Assuming that a slug passes by scavenger device l4 and detector IS without rejection, it must still encounter another detecting device, generally indicated at It, asis more clearly shown in Figure 3; detector l6 can detect and reject a slug having 10 specific gravity or modulus of elasticity different than that of a legitimate coin. A return chute I! (Figure 1) is so disposed with relation to the several detectors that all slugs rejected thereby are received therein and dropped into return pocket l2, as will be clear later. Accordingly it may be seen at the outset that with this apparatus coins are tested for size, composition, weight and specific gravity, thus making it virtually impossible to cause the operation of a vending machine,

turnstile or the like to which my coin detector is attached, with a bogus coin.

As may be more clearly seen in Figures 2 and 4, a pair of plates, l8 and I9, are secured in spaced relation by means of screws 20 .which extend through plate l8, a suitable number of spacers 2i and are preferably threaded. into plate It). Plates l8 and I9 are preferably of sheet metal of suitable gauge and thus may be rapidly stamped out of fiat stock.

I1, and a suitable cover plate 22 (Figure 2) forms the exterior wall thereof. The upper portion Ila. (Figure 1) of return chute I1 is disposed immediately below coin chute l3 and extends beyond the end thereof. Thus, counterfeits or slugs re- .iected by detectors l4 and I5 will dropinto return chute I! and fall therethrough to be deposited in return pocket i2.

Plate l9 has a flange i911 formed along the top thereof (see Figures 1 and 4) and to this .flange is secured a guide plate 23 by screws 24.

As may be more clearly seen in Figure 5, a supporting bar 25 is disposed between plates 23 and I9 and is secured to plate 23 in any suitable manner, as by spot welding, for example. Bar 25 extends beyond edge 23a. of plate 23 and has secured thereto a coin guide 26 forming a partof scavenging device l4. Guide '26 has attached thereto a pair of parts 21 and 28 suitably dis- Posed to direct a coin past a pair of apertures 29 and 30 extending through coin guide 26. A

magnet, or the like, 3| (Figure 3) is secured to the side of guide 26 opposite plates 21 and 28 preferably by a nut and washer 32; magnet 3| may be properly positioned and secured so that its end portions 3 la. and. 3lb are exposed to holes or apertures 29 and 30. Coins passing along guide 26 are subject to magnetic influence in this manner.

'60 Guide 26 also has extending therefrom a. pair Scavenger 35 is also provided with a pair oflugs' '36 and 31 (Figures 1 and 6) and a pin 38 extends 65 through these lugs, and lugs 36 and 3! respectively thus may pivot about pin .38 as an axis .in directions toward and away'from guide '26. Disposed about pin 38 I provide a coiled spring 39, one end of which bears against guide 26 and the 70 other end of which bears against scavenger 35, thus urging scavenger 35 against guide 26, the

4 closed position of scavenger 35. Scavenger 35 is provided with a, flange 40, the inner edge of which is forced against guide 26, (Figures 1 and 2) thus a to form the upper portion of chute, l3.

1 in my detector.

Plate l9 forms the inner wall of return chute As best shown in Figures 1 and 2 a portion 35a 01' scavenger 35 is cut away and extends outwardly therefrom as viewed in Figure 1. The distance between the edge of the scavenger immediately above portion 35a. and coin track 40 is less'than the diameter of the coin to be received Accordingly, if this coin is a nickel, for example, upon being directed to coin track 40 it rests against scavenger I5 and is. thus free to roll down coin track 40 unimpeded. On the other hand, if the diameter of the coin or slug inserted in slot H is smaller than that of a nickel, the coin or slug upon landing on coin track 40 falls over on portion 35a of the scavenger and is usually prevented from leaving coin track 40 when it engages the edge of the scavenger adjacent the lower section of portion 35a as viewed in Figure 1.

Suitably secured to and extending upwardly and to the rear of scavenger 35,1 have provided a scavenger-operating arm 4i (Figures 1 and 6). Arm 4! is in operative relationship with the operating lever (not shown) of the vending machine, turnstile, or the like, in which the coin detector is installed. Hence,'upon an attempted operation of the vending machine, arm 4i is actuated to move track 40 away from guide 23, for example, to the dotted line position (Figure 2) hence to dump any slugs on the track into the return chute ll. Often various pieces of trash are maliciously inserted in slot II to fall on the scavenger. These may be so light that they will remain where they land thus tending to clog the chute. However, attempted actuation of the machine is sufiicient to move the scavenger far enough to dump such articles into the return chute. Furthermore, futile operation of the machine after insertion of a slug is generally accompanied by impatient jiggling of the apparatus which in turn jiggles the scavenger to aid its dumping action.

A legitimate coin or an undetected bogus coin. having passed through scavenging device, next enters detector 15. Detector l5 comprises a balanced gate, generally indicated at 42 (Figures 1, 2, 4, and 7) and as is more clearly shown in Figure '7, gate 42 includes a coin track 43 (see Figure 4). A pair of lugs 45 and 46 (Figure 7) extend upwardly from body portion 44 and have holes therein, which receive a pin 41 (Figure 1), the ends of which are preferably pointed and .are mounted in suitable pockets formed in a pair of lugs 48 and 49 (Figure 7), secured to plate 23. Thus gate 42 is'provided with a substantially frictionless pivot to aid in the balancing thereof, as will be clear later.

The longitudinal edge 44a of body portion 44 is at an angle to pin 41. Although several values might be chosen for this, I have discovered that an angle is preferable under most circumstances. A number of notches 50 are preferably formed alongedge 44a (Figure 6) and a 7 The angle of chute Y|3 determines the speed at which a coin travels therealong and similarly .lilto go d advantage.

. f'ifI-of coin chute [3 comprises the distance between the centerof the mass of..

weight, SI and pin 41 (forming an axis about which gate 42 pivots) determines the speed at which pivoting of the gate takes place. Accordingly, there is a definite relation betweenthese two angles. The values given above have been found to work satisfactorily although I fully realize that other angular values as well asj-other' combinations thereof might be chosen andused Refe ng again to Figure 1, an aperture I9!) is provided iniplate l9, this aperture opening into the space between plates I 9 and I8 (Figure 4) and coextensive with substantially the lower portion oftrack 43 as viewed in Figure 1. The

space between plates l8 and I9 forms a passageway leading to actuating parts of the vending apparatus. The upper portion of track 43, as viewed in Figures 1 and 4, is positioned above return chute 11. Thus when weight 5| is in proper adjustment, a slug weighing more than .a legitimate coin rolling down chute i 3 over scavenging device i4 and on gate 42 causes a quick tipping oi gate 42, that is, gate 42 will open while the slug is traveling over the upper portion of track and wilt accordingly fall therefrom into ireturn chute ll, If a legitimate coin is inserted in slot ll, it rolls down chute I3 onto gate ,42 but the gate does not tip untilthe coin-is over 0 opening [9b so that :the coin is directed down to the actuating parts of the mechanism. -However; under extraordinary circumstances, a .slug maybe Just the proper weight and thus land on thepassageway formed by plates I 8 and I9,

After entering aperture IQb-legitimate coins and slugs of just the proper weight drop downwardly (Figure 11-) and follow a course of travel to be more fuly described hereinafter.

It follows from the above that a slug, which 0 is lighter than' a legitimate coin, will traverse the full extent of track 43 before the gate 42 tips sufficiently to dump it into the return chute or aperture Nib-and thus falls on the end'thereof i into return chute i'l (Figure 1). Accordingly, 5it will beseen that the great majority of slugswhether lighter-or heavier than legitimate coins will be detected and rejected by gate '42 alone. It will further be seen that one side of coin chute l3 comprisescoin guide 26 (Figure 2) and the upperpart' of plate [9-, and that the opposite side of coin chute v IS'cQinprises scavenger" (Fig- ,ure"2) and plate 23 -(Figure 4), while the track track and track 43 of scavenger 35 and gate 42 respectively.

is 'more clearly shown in Figure 2, coin chute I3" is inclined from the vertical, the angle of inclination being preferably on the order of 10 degrees, and, as may be seen in Figure 1, coin chute I3 is inclined from the horizontal, the angle of inclination being preferably on the order of 12 degrees. While variations of these angles may give satisfactory results under certaincircum-stances I have found it preferable that they be substantially the degree stated for practical fpurpoges; v I After a legitimatecoin or an undetected slug has fallen'throug'h aperture 19b, it .falls down- 'wardly' between plates. l3. and I9 and between a pair of guide strips 53 -and 54 (Figure 3). which are secured to plate it many suitable'manner, as, for examplep by spot welding. Guide strip 53 includesa portion 58a. which is inclined wlthrespect to a portion 440101 guide strip 4, portion 641: preferably being substantially vertical. Thus. coin or'slug, after falling through aperture aovaono which compensates impinges upon -lsurface 55a at to be made to accommodate 'nite relation to each other.

Nb, first impinges against portion 53a, rebo therefrom, and impinges against portion 54a.

and corrects thev angle of downward travel of the slug orcoin so that the coin will'descend downwardly in a substantially vertical path. v v

Positioned below and substantially centrally of guidestrips 53 and 54, I have provided a bounce anvil 55 or the like (Figures 3 and 4) which may be secured to plate IS in any suitable manner. Bounce .anvil- 55 has a top surface 55a preferably inclined from the'horizontal at an angle preferably on .the order of 23' degrees. Anvil 55 is preferably s0 positioned that the falling slug or coin substantially the centralportion thereof;

An aperture i911 in plate l9 opens into return chute i1 and is disposedbetween anvil 55 and a hurdle or guide strip 56 (Figure 3) A deflecting lip l9e extends from aperture l9d between plates is and 19 (see Figure' i). Hurdle 56 is of such height and is so spaced fromanvil 56 that a legitimate coin, after rebounding from surface 550 jumps over hurdle 5G and is guided downwardly by gui'de strip 51 between plates I8 and I9 into the coin-operated mechanism of the vending machine, turnstile or the like. A counterfeit or slug,

however, has a specific gravity or modulus of elasticity different from that of the legitimate coin and hence its rebound is not suflicient to carryit over hurdle 56; therefore, it falls between anvil "55 and hurdle 56 and is deflected by deflector I9e ,int'o return chute Ii. It will now be seen that anvil 55 and hurdle 56 comprise detector l6 mentioned hereinabove. I r i It should here be noted that the various angles 'and dimensions mentioned hereinabove bear a definite relationship to one another and are variable according' to the denomination of the coin for which'the detector'is adapted. For purposes of illustration the mechanism herein described is adapted for testing a five cent piece,'and the various angles have been accordingly defined; It will readily 'be seen that variations would have pennies, dimes, quarters, or half-dollar pieces.

Furthermore these angular values have a defl-. For example, a change in the angle'of slope of chute 13 might seriously afiect the value of the most desirable angle to be employed on edge 44a of gate 42 (Figure 7). Also'the weight of weight 5! has a definite relation to these angles as it will be under! stood that the speed at which a coin or slug travels over'gate 42 has a definite bearing on the speed-with which gate 42 dumps a. coin into return chute l I or aperture (912.

In operationif a'slug of proper diameter is inserted through coin slot ll (Figure 1), it is guided downwardly by guide strips 21 and 28;past apertures 29 and 30 onto scavenger track 40. If the slug is responsive to magnetic attraction it is .held from rolling down coin chute l3 by mag net 3|, and upon the attempted operation of the vending machine, scavenger 35 opens and the slug is rejected'and returned. If the slug is'not attracted by magnet 3! but has a diameter less than that of the proper orlegitimate coin, it

. tion 35a tob'e'later rejected by the scavenging -de.-

will fall against portion 35a of scavenger 35 and vice'upon-actuationot the vending machine as more fully described above. Furthermore, the slug is very light, that .is made from leather, -'it the scavenging device to cast these slugs, as well as other trash which may be maliciously inserted, into the return chute.

If the slug is non-magnetic, it rolls down track 40 undisturbed onto track 43 of gate 42 (Figure all 1). If the slug is heavier than a legitimate coin,

gate 42 opens prematurely and the .slug falls therefrom into return chute II. If the slug is underweight, it traverses the full extent track 43 and falls oil! the lower end thereof into return chute i1.

Assuming that the slug has the weight of a legitimate coin, this being an unusual circumstance, its weight causes gate 42 to open'at the proper time to permit the slug to fall through aperture I9b (Figure 3) and pass between guides 53 and 54. The slug impinges first against por-- tion 53a, thence against portion 54a (Figure 3) and is accordingly directed downwardly to surface 55a of anvil 55. As the resiliency of the slug bears a definite relationship to its specific gravity and modulus of elasticity, the slug does not rebound from anvil 55 to the same extent as a legitimate coin. Accordingly, the slug does not clear hurdle 55 but is deflected through aperture |5d into re-' turn chute l1, thence to be deposited into 'retum pocket l2.

It follows that a legitimate coin inserted in 'slot ii rolls down chute l3 and is dumped by gate 42 into aperture I5b where, as best shown in Figure 3, it strikes portion 53a then'portion 54a. Next it falls-downwardly upon the anvil 55.

; Due to its modulus of elasticity and inherent resiliency it gathers momentum with each bounce until it finally bounces over hurdle "55 to be directed to the coin actuated parts.

-It is particularly important to note the very fine degree of adjustment obtainable fronrthe counterweight 5|. As explained above. the angle tion, an inclined coin chute, the inclination of 'of edge 44m (Figure 7) is substantially 5 degrees necessary to have the coin detecting apparatus receive such coins'rather than reject them'due.

with respect to the plvotalaxis of the gate 42. Accordingly as weight 5i is moved along edge 44a, the distance it moves toward or'away from the pivotal axis of the gate is very small in proportion to the longitudinal movement of the weight.

The notches 50 are small so that the weight may be held in any number of positions along the gate. Accordingly I have found it possible to achieve an extremely fine adjustment of the gate, this being highl desirable to enable the'lgate to select slugs which are almost'the same weight as legitimate coins. This is particularly iii'i' rtant due to the fact that legitimate coins, af r con.-

tinued use, often become worn and are according-- ly a bit lighter than a new cbin. It is quite to their variance in weight. Due to the fine adhave-this gate operate properly when sudh coins turned in substantially the same short spaceof' time or less. This rapid action, inaddition to the compactness of the detector, renders the de-f vice particularly well suited for use in combination with coin-operated mechanisms of any type.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention an apparatus in which the various objects hereinbeiore stated, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are

way of illustration, are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense and are merely illustrative, as

the shape and dimensions of the various parts may be varied, depending for example upon operating conditions and the characteristics of the coin-operated mechanism to which the detector isto be attached.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove setiorth or shown in'the accom panying drawings is 'to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1 claim:

1. In coin detector construction, in combination, an inclined coin chute, a gate pivotally associated with said coin chute and forming a portion thereof, one of the edges'of said gate being at an angle with respect to its pivotal axis, a weight slidably mounted on said edge, means for maintaining said weight at any set position along said edge, whereby the weight necessary to open said gate may be definitely predetermined, a

. .return chute opening beneath a portion of said gate, a coin passageway located beneath another portion of said gate, whereby saidgate dr ps coins into said passageway and overweight slugs into said chute.

2 In coin detector construction. in combinasald chute with the horizontal being on the order and rejecting overweight and underweight slugs,-

said last-mentioned means including a pivotable' gate having slidably mounted alongone edge thereof a weight, said edge being inclined substantially at an angle on the order of 5 degrees with respect to the pivotal axis of the gate; justment of counterweight 5|, it is possible to v tion, a pair of plate members secured together in 4. In coin detector construction, in combinaspaced relationship, one oi said. plate members ,having an aperture i'ormed therein, a gate member pivotaliy secured to one of said plate members, said gate member; having a coin track extending into the space between said plates, and a counterweight slidably mounted along one: edge of said gate member,'said edge being inclined with respeetto the pivotal axis of said gate-member, said gate memberbeing balanced-by said counterweight to prematurely open'upon the passage thereover of a slug heavier than a legitimate coin andtopermitthepassage oialegiti-' mate coin through said aperture.

5. In coin. detector construction, in combination, means for detecting and rejecting overweight and underweight slugs, said means comprising an inclined coin chute and including a pivotable gatehaving one of its edges inclined with respect to its pivotal axis, said edge having a plurality of notches formed therealong, a weight member slidably mounted on 'said edge and having a detent adapted to engage one ofv said notches, and spring means forreleasably retaining saiddetent in engagement with said notches.

6. In coin detector construction, in combination, an inclined coin chute, a gate pivotally associated with said coin chute and forming a portion'thereoffsaid gate including a portion over which coins are directed to roll, the pivotal axis of said gate being slightly spaced from said portion, one of the edges of said gate being at an angle withrespect to said pivotal axis, a weight slidably mounted on said edge, means for maintaining said weight at any set position along said edge, whereby the weight necessary to open said gate may be definitely predetermined, and coin receiving means beneath said gate.

7. In coin detector construction, in combination, means forming a coin chute, said means including a part pivotally associated with said chute and forming a portion thereof, a member associated with said chute and movable longitudinally thereof to vary at will the balance of said part, said member being moved to aposition on said part'wherein the part is prematurely pivoted upon the passage thereover of an overweight s'lug, and remains unmoved upon the passage thereover of an underweight slug, and means movable transversely of the pivotal axis of said part to yieldably hold said member in engagement with said partat any predetermined position thereon.

GILBERT J. SCOFIELD. 

